Larimar Belt Buckle

This fabulous belt buckle is 92.5 sterling silver and comprised of cast cowrie shells and a bezel set Larimar center stone. The stone comes from the Dominican Republic and has only been mined for the last 35 years (which makes is a relatively new discovery). I love Larimars' light blue tone and felt like it was the perfect stone to mix with cowrie shells as it has a sea/ocean feel to it. It would look great on a leather belt worn with a sassy pair of jeans !

Everyone loves Garnets !

These Faceted garnet beads are a deep, rich wine color. The earrings have little flashes of silver from the Bali flower beads that are on each little beaded "matchstick". When worn, the bracelet makes a "shinka shinka" sound as the beads move around on the handmade silver chain. All findings are 92.5 sterling silver.

Labradorite Multi Strand Necklace

This Labradorite necklace is actually one very long strand of beads . It can be wrapped around multiple times for a chunky, "close to the neck" look or can be wrapped just once or twice to be worn long. Very versatile! People always comment on this stone as the beads look like they have 'fire' within them when looked at in the sunlight. It has a sterling silver toggle clasp and 2mm seamless sterling silver bead separators.

Iolite Teardrop Necklace Earring Set

This is an earring/necklace set that just looks so elegant when worn with a dress but can also look "tough" when worn with the right top and jeans. The stone is almost translucent and is a violet/blue tone. The chain is sterling silver and has a toggle clasp closure .

Beading Fun in Taxco

Here are two of my latest beading designs. Hope you enjoy them !

Crystal Wedding Set

This is a set of crystal jewelry that I made for a friend's wedding. I always feel so honored when someone asks me to make them somethng special to wear on their special day !!!!

Amethyst Geode and Hematite Bracelet

Cascading Earring Trio

Red Jasper Set

Coin Pearl and Seed Bead Set

Coral Necklace and Bracelet

Moss Agate Shinka Shinka

Onyx and Amazonite

Hunky Amazonite and Greenish Stones

Amazonite and Stone Cross Set

Skull Necklace - pink and green

I love the little bone skull beads on this long necklace. I designed it with fun colors - just in time for the Spring weather.

Cross and Crystals

Sterling Cross, Garnet, Peridot and Citrine

Sterling Cross, Garnet, Peridot and Citrine

Tecolote

This is an owl locket that I made with the help of my teacher in Mexico. It is made of silver 950 and the necklace is made of obsidian beads. The owl(or tecolote as they are called in the state of Guerrero Mexico )was made by the technique of repousse. Repousse is a method that involves chasing and hammering with steel tools that are all made by hand- alternating from the front and back of the sheet of metal which is firmly placed into a bowl of pitch. I am crazy about the technique as it allows you to create a sculptural 3D object from a flat sheet of metal - Amazing !

After A Fashion Column -The Austin Chronicle Feb 26, 2009

The fashion columnist for the Austin Chronicle (Stephen Moser) wrote about the fabulous jewelry pieces that I loaned him last weekend for the Ballet Ball in Houston, TX. Here are photos of the two pieces that he wore -
(both made by Nacho Gomez-my silversmithing teacher in Mexico )
You can get to my blog about all of the pieces made by this Master Metalsmith by following this link .
http://taxcosilver-nacho.blogspot.com

I will be representing Nacho Gomez and his work as well as my own designs during the SXSW Music Festival at Blackmail.(March 20-22)

Here is a clip from Stephens column:
"I especially like going to big events in Houston because no one there has seen all my outfits and jewelry. I wore black leather and cashmere with a white fur; my jewelry was on loan to me by the talented designer Shayna Weeden (www.shaynajewelry.blogspot.com), who was repping this particular collection for her teacher, Nacho Gomez. I'd fallen in love with the jewelry upon seeing it – enormous life-sized iguanas, horny toads, and other reptilian motifs whose tails wrapped around the neck and wrists in chunky silver. Girded by such fearsome accessories, I felt every bit ready to cause a sensation when I entered."

http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/column?oid=oid%3A748844

Chain Bracelet and Onyx Triangle Necklace

This triangle necklace is made with faceted onyx beads and is made by wire wrapping-no solder required ! The chain bracelet is my version of a very old and classic design that I have been making over the years and is still one of the all time favorites of my clients .

Vinyl-Phile

A 45 rpm spindle adapter is a yellow small plastic insert that goes in the middle of a 45-rpm record so it will play on a turntable. This shape is a symbol for the music enthusiast and I have cut it out in sterling silver to wear as jewelry. These can be found at Blackmail in Austin or Dean-Kingston in Fort Worth. Looks great on a colorful piece of suede.

Pink Pearls

Sweet pink freshwater pearls !

Belt Buckles

Two of these belt buckles are made with lost wax cast cowrie shells in sterling silver. The larger flower style belt buckle has kiwi jaspers in bezel settings and they both have a black drusy quartz for the middle stone.

Indulge Magazine Article on Local Jewelry Designers

I feel very honored that I was one of three artists chosen for an article in Indulge Magazine about Fort Worth jewelry designers ! The issue came out just in time for Valentine's Day. I hope that you are able to read the article as the print looks very small on a blog! The other two artists are Tamra Novak and Gretchen McClendon. I have only met Tamra a few times but she seems like a really neat lady. Her jewelry is made up of vintages pieces and my Mom loves her work! We have had fun "talking shop" - which is always a fun experience with other artists in your field.

Oldies but Goodies

Oldies but Goodies !

Valentine's Day 2009

Valentine's Day is almost here !

In the top photo I have chosen pink pearl, white pearl, and garnet earrings .
The two necklaces are screaming- "pick me for the perfect Valentine's Day present".
And the garnet Shinka-Shinka bracelet is gorgeous !!! It feels so luxurious on the wrist .
I mixed up artists in the bottom photo but will post here. The ammonite pendant has a sort of heart shape so I thought it was an appropriate piece for the occasion . Of course the guitar pic with a cross is not a heart shape- but kinda ? And I just thought that I needed to offer something that would work as a gift for a guitar playin-or guitar loving guy too. I rarely have jewelry that is appropriate for men...They are all stamped on the back with my signature swirly S stamp and can be found at Dean-Kingston in Fort Worth as well as purchased from me directly.
The incredible heart earrings and heart pendant are made by my friend Annabel Humber who signs each piece as well.

Labradorite and Green Amethysts

I think that this belt buckle is one of my favorites. It has bezel set labradorite cabachons and a round grey moonstone in the center. Looks AMAZING in the sunlight! The sweet little necklace and earrings have faceted green amethysts which are top quality. The bracelet is from the "shinka-shinka" family and makes a delicate sound when you gently shake it.

Turquoise and White Pearl Jewelry

I love the look of turquoise and white pearls. Don't you ? Such a classic !

Where you can find my jewelry- Stella's in Fort Worth

Where you can find my jewelry - Blackmail in Austin